Sights in Iraklio
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Archaeological Museum of Iraklio
The outstanding Archaeological Museum of Iraklio is second in size and importance only to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens because of its unique and extensive Minoan collection. The museum recently underwent a major restoration.
The collection covers Cretan civilization from Neolithic times until the Roman empire and includes pottery, jewellery, figurines and sarcophagi, as well as some famous frescoes, mostly from Knossos and Agia Triada. All testify to the remarkable imagination and advanced skills of the Minoans. Among the highlights are the famous Minoan frescoes from Knossos, including the Procession fresco, the Griffin Fresco (from the Throne Room), the…
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Historical Museum of Crete
A fascinating collection from Crete's more recent past is presented at the excellent Historical Museum of Crete. The ground floor covers the period from Byzantine to Turkish rule, displaying plans, charts, photographs, ceramics and maps. On the 1st floor are the only two El Greco paintings in Crete - View of Mt Sinai and the Monastery of St Catherine (1570) and the tiny recent addition, Baptism of Christ.
Other rooms contain fragments of 13th- and 14th-century frescoes, coins, jewellery, liturgical ornaments and vestments, and medieval pottery.
The 2nd floor has a reconstruction of the library of author Nikos Kazantzakis. Another room is devoted to Rethymno-born former pri…
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Natural History Museum of Crete
Established by the University of Crete, the leading Natural History Museum of Crete has relocated to impressive new five-level premises in the restored former electricity building on the waterfront. Only two wings had opened at the time of research, including an impressive interactive discovery centre for kids, compete with labs and excavation projects.
Apart from the broader evolution of humankind, the museum explores the flora and fauna of Crete, the island's ecosystem and habitats, and its caves, coastline and mountains. It also looks at the Minoan environment, including a reconstruction of a Minoan cottage and its inhabitants. It's a pleasant 10-minute walk along the …
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Koules Venetian Fortress
The 16th-century Koules Venetian fortress stands at the end of the Old Harbour jetty (though it was sinking and underwent significant restoration recently). Built by the Venetians who called it Rocca al Mare, it stopped the Turks for 22 years and then became a Turkish prison for Cretan rebels. The impressive exterior has reliefs of the Lion of St Mark. The interior has 26 overly restored rooms and good views from the top.
The rooms on the ground level are used for art exhibitions, while music and theatrical events are held in the upper level. The vaulted arcades of the Venetian Arsenal are located on the harbour front, opposite the fortress.
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Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis
You can pay homage to Crete's most acclaimed contemporary writer at the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), at the Martinengo Bastion (the largest and best-preserved bastion) in the southern part of town. The epitaph on his grave, 'I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free', is taken from one of his works. You can actually walk along the city walls all the way to the waterfront from here (about an hour), or you can climb up from the steps next to the arches at Plateia Kyprou.
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Bembo Fountain
The delightful Bembo Fountain, at the southern end of 1866, is shown on local maps as the Turkish Fountain, but it was actually built by the Venetians in the 16th century. It was constructed from a hotchpotch of building materials including an ancient statue. The ornate hexagonal edifice next to the fountain was a pump house added by the Turks, and now functions as a pleasant kafeneio (coffee house).
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Morosini Fountain
Several notable vestiges from Venetian times survive. Most famous is Morosini Fountain, which spurts water from four lions into eight ornate U-shaped marble troughs. The fountain, built in 1628, was commissioned by Francesco Morosini while he was governor of Crete. A marble statue of Poseidon with his trident used to stand at the centre, but was destroyed during the Turkish occupation.
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Museum of Religious Art
The Museum of Religious Art is housed in the former Church of Agia Ekaterini, next to Agios Minas Cathedral. It has an impressive collection of icons, frescoes and elaborate ecclesiastical vestments. The premier exhibits are the six icons painted by Mihail Damaskinos, El Greco's mentor.
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Church of Agios Titos
The Church of Agios Titos was constructed after the liberation of the Crete in AD 961 and was converted to a Catholic church and then a mosque. Twice rebuilt after being destroyed by the big fire in 1554 and then the 1856 earthquake, it has been an Orthodox Church since 1925.
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Loggia
A little north of the Municipal Art Gallery is the attractively reconstructed 17th-century Loggia, a Venetian version of a gentleman's club, where the male aristocracy came to drink and gossip. It is now the town hall.
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City Walls
Iraklio burst out of its city walls long ago, but these massive Venetian fortifications, with seven bastions and four gates, are still very conspicuous, dwarfing the concrete structures of the 20th century.
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Ammoudara
Ammoudara, about 4km west of Iraklio, is the closest beach to the city but you are better off heading further afield to Agia Pelagia in the west, or Koundoura to the east.
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Municipal Art Gallery
Opposite the Morosini Fountain is the three-aisled 13th-century Agios Markos Basilica, reconstructed many times and now the Municipal Art Gallery.
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Georgiades Park
You can escape the heat and let the kids run around in Georgiades Park, where there is a pleasant shady café.
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Battle of Crete Museum
The Battle of Crete Museum chronicles this historic battle through photographs, letters, uniforms and weapons.
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Lyceum of Greek Women
The quaint Lyceum of Greek Women has a fine collection of Cretan costumes, weavings and other handicrafts.
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Archaeological Museum of Iraklio
The outstanding Archaeological Museum of Iraklio is second in size and importance only to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens because of its unique and extensive Minoan collection. The museum recently underwent a major restoration.
The collection covers Cretan civilization from Neolithic times until the Roman empire and includes pottery, jewellery, figurines and sarcophagi, as well as some famous frescoes, mostly from Knossos and Agia Triada. All testify to the remarkable imagination and advanced skills of the Minoans. Among the highlights are the famous Minoan frescoes from Knossos, including the Procession fresco, the Griffin Fresco (from the Throne Room), the…
reviewed
